All articles tagged with #iraq militias
The US escalates in the Iran-Israel crisis: Trump orders forces to shoot at Iranian boats laying mines in the Hormuz Strait and extends the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire by three weeks, while Washington also issues a $10 million bounty for a Tehran-backed Iraqi militia leader amid rising oil prices and stalled talks.
ISW-CTP’s Iran Update for April 18, 2026 says IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi and his inner circle have likely secured at least temporary control over Iran’s military response and negotiating approach, with the IRGC Navy reimposing traffic controls in the Strait of Hormuz and warning against passage to pressure the United States. This signals a consolidation of power and sidelining of more pragmatic officials in Tehran, while the U.S. blockade remains in place and Tehran reviews a new US proposal amid talks in Islamabad that appear divided. Broader regional developments include ongoing actions by Iranian-backed Iraqi militias and Hezbollah-related shifts within a broader ceasefire framework that shapes the conflict’s dynamic.
The report details recent developments in Iran's nuclear activities, internal political divisions, and regional conflicts, including Israeli strikes on Iranian sites, Houthi attacks in Yemen, and disrupted Iraqi militia plans, highlighting ongoing regional instability and Iran's internal and external challenges.